Brilliant Methodology
I am an atrocious speller; don't even ask what atrocious looked like before I spell-checked this copy! But I find it interesting that I am not consistently a bad speller, as I do have some strengths. When I consider those strengths, I recall not phonics rules per se, but patterns that were diligently taught by some nameless teacher in my past. Having recognized the brilliance of that methodology, I was more than eager to examine the Sequential Spelling series.

Spell with Word Families
While we intuitively teach our children to read via word families (first at, then bat, cat, fat, and so forth), we rarely incorporate that same methodology in teaching spelling. Instead we shift to burdensome rules and endless lists of seemingly random words.

Easy to Use
Sequential Spelling is radically different as it is firmly entrenched in teaching using word families. The parent dictates a word, then the child writes it in his notebook. The child corrects any error right away before the next word is dictated, for when he immediately corrects his own mistakes, he will learn and retain more. Every day, every lesson is a test. That's it, that's the program. Your child will never be asked to study for a spelling test; the author believes that the tests should be a learning device, not a method of evaluation.
This common sense spelling program is incredibly easy for a parent to use.

Easily Adapted for a Variety of Ages
Each level of Sequential Spelling consists of 180 days of lessons. If you find the list of twenty-five words too much for your child, then do fewer words a day. While Level One can be used with a first-grader, it is equally effective with an older child who needs to build a solid spelling foundation. There is nothing juvenile about this program, so dive in at whatever level seems appropriate.

180 Daily Tests
Sequential Spelling eliminates the study-for-the-test-and-forget-by-Monday syndrome. Each of the seven levels has 180 daily tests of twenty-one words for a total of over 25,000 words!

Important Note: Sequential Spelling is not based on grade level. The sequences are based on building from easy words to advanced words, as from all to tall, stall, install, installment, installation. However, for some of you it will be helpful to walk through the simple placement test.

Additional Note: If you opt to use the DVD in conjunction with the Student Workbook for levels 1-5, please note that because of a few later changes to the workbooks there will be an occasional discrepancy between the word lists on the DVD versus the lists in the workbook. This will not affect the spelling exercises which are the core of the program, but can impact some of the peripheral activities such as crossword puzzles.

What is Sequential Spelling?

A complete sample lesson:

Features
Sequential Spelling is a seven-level spelling program for the teaching of the patterns of English spelling within seven normal public school years, though many homeschoolers complete all seven levels at a much faster rate.

Important Note: The sequences are not based on grade level. They are based on building from easy words to advanced words as from all to tall, stall, install, installment, installation. However, for some of you it will be helpful to walk through the simple placement test.